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The Evolution of Corporate Governance and Firm Performance in Transition Economies: The Case of Sellier and Bellot in the Czech Republic

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  • Tomas Jandik
  • Craig G. Rennie

Abstract

This paper investigates the evolution of corporate governance and firm performance in transition economies. It focuses on barriers that impeded adoption of optimal corporate governance at Czech ammunition manufacturer Sellier and Bellot (S&B) following voucher privatisation in 1993. Exogenously imposed diffuse ownership, combined with legal, capital market, and accounting deficiencies, contributed to poor corporate governance and weak firm performance. This study shows how legal, capital market, and accounting deficiencies hinder corporate governance evolution; it demonstrates monitoring and incentive mechanisms can create value in transition economies; it suggests effective privatisation not only involves rapid ownership transfer but careful accounting and securities regulation and legal protection.

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  • Tomas Jandik & Craig G. Rennie, 2008. "The Evolution of Corporate Governance and Firm Performance in Transition Economies: The Case of Sellier and Bellot in the Czech Republic," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 14(4), pages 747-791, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:eufman:v:14:y:2008:i:4:p:747-791
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-036X.2007.00407.x
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    1. Wenfeng Wu & Chongfeng Wu & Oliver M. Rui, 2012. "Ownership and the Value of Political Connections: Evidence from China," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 18(4), pages 695-729, September.
    2. Anzhela Knyazeva & Diana Knyazeva, 2012. "Product Market Competition and Shareholder Rights: International Evidence," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 18(4), pages 663-694, September.
    3. Hanousek, Jan & Kočenda, Evžen & Mašika, Michal, 2012. "Firm efficiency: Domestic owners, coalitions, and FDI," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 471-486.
    4. Jan Hanousek & Evžen Kočenda & Michal Mašika, 2012. "Firemní efektivita: vliv vlastnických struktur a finančních ukazatelů [Corporate Efficiency: Effect of Ownership Structures and Financial Indicators]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2012(4), pages 459-483.

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